Chris Turley's Video eNewsletter Sign Up

Sign up to Get FREE
Centre County Real Estate Video Updates 2x's a Month

Enter Your Email Address to Get Instant Updates...No Spam. Ever

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Staging a Home Can Shave Off Weeks From the Time On Market and Generate More Offers



Watch on your mobile device >>

Selling a home involves a lot of steps and it begins way in advance of when the home actually makes it to the MLS. You have to make sure the home is priced right, has an active marketing plan associated with it catered to your specific market and you need the backing and support of a strong real estate agent.

But one very important component of selling a home is presenting it to the buying public in a way that solicits offers. While you could argue that there is no reason to adjust the way you may live, to remove extra things from the home or even update the color schemes in the home – the truth is that buyers see things in an entirely different light.

I met with my top stager to get some ideas, tips and tricks to share with you on how you can effectively stage your home without breaking the bank. Keep in mind that the amount you spend toward staging your home usually comes back two-fold when the home sells.

What Exactly Is Staging?

In the words of one of the best stagers in our area, staging is making a house “sale ready” since a house for selling and a house for living is usually not the same thing. With the goal of making the home as attractive as possible for all buyers, the idea is that staging will quickly result in one or more offers and usually in as much as half the time of non-staged homes.

Is It Worth It To Spend Money When I’m Selling Anyway?

A lot of homeowners ask whether they should put any more money into the home when they are selling it. The truth is that staging does not cost a lot at all. Most of the changes are cosmetic and involve things like a simple coat of paint to bring in some neutral color – or rearranging furniture to show off more of the home’s features.

What Are Some Things I Can Do To Stage My Home?

The easiest way to prepare your home for sale is to spend a few days cleaning, de-cluttering and de-personalizing the space. Buyers need to see the home for what it is and be able to imagine living in the space. If distracted by personal items such as family photos, overflowing closets or furniture placement that hide major features of the home, their interest may fade.

Simple actions like putting away children’s artwork, leaving the fridge free of any personal items, removing 2/3 of the contents in closets and cleaning the home from top to bottom are sometimes all it takes to present a home attractively. Homeowners should also pay attention to curb appeal, particularly because it will be the first impression made upon prospective buyers. Taking action to clear up outdated and unkempt trees, bushes and shrubs – as well as making the entryway warm and inviting are sure-fire ways to pull buyers in and keep them interested.

The most important advice to keep in mind is that if you are considering selling your home – even if a while down the road – start thinking from the mindset of a seller. If making any updates, consider doing them in a neutral way so that when you do list, buyers are attracted to the “blank canvas” aspect of the home. Start making decisions about extra belongings and begin to de-clutter on a large scale.
~
For a personalized walk-through of your home to determine what needs to be done before you list, contact me today – I’d be happy to assist you!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

State College Real Estate Market Report End of Summer 2012



Watch on your mobile device >>

Despite the recent tragic events that have impacted many lives, there is a lot of good happening in our area. One such thing is what is happening in our real estate market. Here is a quick rundown of how the numbers compare this year versus the same time last year – so you can gauge how well things are improving.

Average Sales Price Increasing

Though slight, we are seeing a positive change in the average sale price of homes this year as opposed to the same time frame in 2011. Last year at this time the average sales price was $215,000 whereas in 2012 we reported an average price of $220,000. This indicates a recovering market and stronger days ahead.

Number of Days On Market Going Down

Last year at this time we reported the average number of days of 116 that a property would remain on the market from the listing date until it went under contract. Looking at the same time frame this year, there is a significant difference with homes selling in just 88 days. Once again, this indicates a changing market with increased demand from buyers eager to lock in the record setting low interest rates that are still going strong.

List to Sale Ratio Rising

The amount they list their home for versus the amount the property is actually sold for is called the list to sale ratio. For sellers this year things have improved in that area as well, with an increase from 96.3% last year to 97.6% in the same time period of 2012.

If you are considering buying or selling, want to tap into these great interest rates or have been looking at selling – contact me today at 814.234.4000 or christurleykbb@comcast.net. I look forward to hearing from you!